these challenges rationally in the case of the enzymatic synthesis of methyl 3‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropanoate (commonly denoted as the Roche ester) and derivatives thereof using the ene reductase YqjM. By a highly efficient, concept‐based approach of designing mutant variants of YqjM and engineering substrates we could alter both the rate constant and the enantioselectivity of the reaction. Preparative scale
efficiency in modern organic synthesis. In particular, the high potential of biocatalysts still needs to be harvested. Based on an in-depth mechanistic investigation of a new organocatalytic protocol employing two catalysts 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO); benzoic acid (BzOH)}, a sequence was established providing starting materials for enzymatic refinement (ene reductase; alcohol dehydrogenase):